Part 28 (2/2)
”Oh, no, that's not what I meant.” May was overjoyed at Molly's newfound romance and did not want it to stop. Molly deserved all the goodness she could get.
”We just . . . ” May hesitated. There was nothing they could do for Gretchen that they weren't already doing. ”Never mind. Let's keep looking.”
They were close to panic when they finally found her, stretched out in a copse of trees. She sat upright as May's hand touched her, startling her sisters who gasped and jumped back.
”It was a woman,” Gretchen said. Her voice was hoa.r.s.e, not yet acclimated to human vocal cords.
May recovered and wrapped Gretchen in the blanket. ”We're here, Gretchen,” she said. ”We're right here.”
Gretchen sagged into her arms. May and Molly said nothing as they tended her and half-carried her back to the house. Once she was in bed, they met in the kitchen.
”What was she talking about?” Molly asked.
”I've got no idea, but we're going to find out. She needs to talk about whatever has been bothering her and we've got to make her do it. Tonight.”
”She'll be a mess!”
”I know it. She may actually open up.”
Gretchen did, and it was not what her sisters expected.
”I'm telling you, I know what I saw.”
”You can't possibly expect us to believe you know what you saw out there as a . . . a wolf. You've said yourself you don't remember anything. And what you have seen is bad enough.”
”You've got to tell someone, Gretchen.” Molly was terrified that the someone would be John. They were getting along so well; the last thing she wanted was for him to discover just how weird her family was. And yet, what Gretchen described was a matter for the authorities. John was sure to learn of it, one way or another.
”It's no ordinary wolf. Under the full moon, it is a woman. We can't bring in the law. What do you think they'll do with her? And how long do you think it will be before they look at me?”
Perhaps now had not been a good time to speak to Gretchen after all, May thought. Yet, she had a point. If, and that was a large if, Gretchen had seen another of her kind as she so astonis.h.i.+ngly suggested, they could not risk anyone else becoming involved.
”Okay. You're tired. Why don't we call it a night and see what tomorrow brings.”
Relieved, Gretchen nodded. ”Fine. But I know what I saw.”
After she'd staggered off to bed, Molly and May sat in silence.
”Do you think it's true?” Molly finally asked.
May reached across the table and took her hands. ”I don't know. I think she's just had a bad dream. But don't worry. We'll make sure John stays out of it, whatever it is.”
”Thank you,” Molly said, holding on tight. ”Thank you.”
Gretchen rose the next morning in a stupor. The walls of her bedroom were close and confining. Her legs were weak and she clung to the back of a chair until she found her balance. Shadows seemed superimposed on the window frame: dark limbs of trees, scuttling creatures, the outline of a wolf somehow standing upright.
She was more certain than ever that what the wolf saw was accurate. Her sisters might not believe it, but she knew. She could not leave it alone. Gretchen gathered her wits. Both sisters were awake before her. She cornered them in the kitchen before either could wish her good day.
”I can't leave her out there. Don't argue. This is none of your business.”
Shocked, the sisters turned as one. Gretchen's eyes were black, feral. They felt the monster there in the kitchen where no monster belonged. Fear tainted Molly's belly, but May held firm.
”Let us know what you need.”
”I need time. Alone,” Gretchen said.
Molly drew in her breath, but said nothing as Gretchen sat at the table and put her head in her hands.
”It hurts,” she said and Molly went to her side.
”You need to eat.”
May heaped a plate with bacon, sausage and eggs. Gretchen ate with her fingers as Molly stroked her hair. It was an uncomfortable morning, but it pa.s.sed and by noon the eerie light had dimmed in Gretchen's eyes.
”Will you see John tonight?” Gretchen asked as Molly dressed for work.
”No,” Molly said with a frown.
”Why not?”
”I don't think I should see him again.”
Gretchen took her by the shoulder. ”I know what you're thinking, Molly. Don't. You really like this guy, I can tell. Promise me you won't give him up because of me.”
Molly wiped a tear from her eye. ”But it's too dangerous. What if he finds out?”
”You and May can't protect me for the rest of my life. You need to have a life, too. Look at me.”
Gretchen turned Molly toward her. Molly saw her sister, as familiar as her own skin. She also saw, very close to the surface, the wolf. They clung to each other for a moment before Molly stepped away.
”Okay. I won't stop seeing him.”
”Good,” Gretchen smiled.
”Be careful, will you?” Molly said quietly.
”As careful as I can.”
Gretchen cornered May in the living room that night, before she could turn on the television to watch her favorite show.
”I've got to set that woman free.”
”What?” May said, startled. ”What do you mean?”
”Just what I said. I can't leave her out there to die.”
”But what about that man? You said he had a gun.” May's flesh grew cold. She rubbed her arms, suddenly very afraid.
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